Kern County, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Kern County, CA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Noise Chapter
- Title 8, Chapter 8.36
- General Standard
- 'Loud and raucous noise' (any hour)
- Specific Time Limit
- Construction only (see construction-hours)
- Campground Quiet Hours
- 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. (§ 13.20.140)
Summary
Kern County's Noise Control chapter (Title 8, Chapter 8.36) does not set general residential quiet hours; only construction noise has explicit time limits. The 'loud and raucous noise' standard in Section 8.36.020 applies 24 hours a day in unincorporated areas.
'Loud and raucous noise' means any sound created and/or transmitted in any manner whatever which is of such volume, intensity or carrying power as to interfere with or disturb the reasonable and quiet comfortable enjoyment of life or property or which is adverse to the general public welfare in any neighborhood.
Full Breakdown
36 of Title 8, Health and Safety) does not establish a blanket nighttime quiet-hours window for residential noise. 020 prohibits willfully making, emitting or transmitting any 'loud and raucous noise' upon or from any public street, highway, public park or public property at any hour. 36 apply only to construction activity (see construction-hours). 140 for users of county public campgrounds. Outside campgrounds, residents must rely on the general 'loud and raucous' nuisance standard, on California Penal Code § 415 (disturbing the peace), or on California Civil Code § 3479 (private nuisance) to address late-night noise.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Section 8.36.020 are county-code violations enforced under Title 1 (general penalty) and may be charged as infractions or misdemeanors. Citation-release procedures follow California Penal Code Chapter 5C, Title 3, Part 2 (see Kern County Code § 1.12.010).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kern County have nighttime quiet hours for residences?
What can I do about late-night residential noise in unincorporated Kern County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
How Kern County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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